74,000 cancer patients not treated on time in 2024

New analysis has shown that last year, 74,000 cancer patients didn’t start their treatment on time*. That’s enough people to fill the O2 arena almost four times over. 

With an ageing and growing population, the challenge facing cancer services is only set to increase. There will be around 2.2 million new cancer cases diagnosed in the UK over the current parliamentary term – that’s over 20% more cases than in the previous parliamentary term.** 

That’s why we’ve joined with over 50 other charities as One Cancer Voice to call on the UK Government to equip the NHS to tackle cancer waiting times in England. 

The wait for treatment 

The NHS in England aims to begin treatment for 85% of cancer patients within 62 days of an urgent referral.  

But the proportion of patients in England starting cancer treatment within this timeframe has plummeted over the last decade, from 83.9% in 2014 to 62.2% in 2024*. This was a small improvement from 2023, when only 60.1% of patients were treated on time.   

“Seventy-four thousand cancer patients waited longer than they should to start their treatment last year. Behind every one of these numbers is a family member, friend or loved one facing unbelievable stress and anxiety, where every day can feel like forever,” said Michelle Mitchell, our chief executive. 

“Hardworking NHS staff are doing their best, and last year we saw a slight improvement in cancer waiting times from the year before. However, there is still a long way to go, and the UK Government must act.” 

There has also been a rise in the number of ‘long-waiters’ over the last decade – people waiting over 104 days to begin their treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral. Analysis showed more than 1 in 10 cancer patients (11.3%) faced having to wait more than 104 days in 2024 – nearly twice as long as the 62-day target.   

Cancer type can also impact how long people wait for their treatment. For example, almost 6 in 10 (56.0%) patients with lower gastrointestinal cancers, like bowel and anal cancer, were treated within 62 days in 2024, and around 6 in 10 (59.1%) lung cancer patients. 

A turning point for cancer 

The UK Government has pledged to meet the 85% target by the end of this parliament, and last month, made a welcome commitment to improve performance by April 2026. But we know the slow rate of improvement as it stands isn’t enough to achieve this.   

So, we’re coming together with more than 50 cancer charities as One Cancer Voice to call on the UK Government to prioritise cancer waiting times in its National Cancer Plan. 

“The National Cancer Plan can be a turning point for cancer patients across England, but the UK Government must invest in staff and equipment, alongside reforms, if it’s to hit all cancer waiting time targets by the end of this parliament. It’s the least that cancer patients deserve,” said Mitchell.  

 * This analysis looks only at those starting treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral. From October 2023 the 62-standard applies to urgent suspected cancer referrals, breast symptomatic referrals, urgent cancer screening programme referrals or consultant upgrades. Previously this only applied to urgent suspected cancer referrals, so to allow accurate year on year comparisons this analysis looks at only those referrals.   

** Projected UK cancer cases and deaths in the current parliamentary term, Cancer Research UK